AU Blogspot

On behalf of the entire Ashworth University faculty and staff, I want to once again congratulate each and every one of you for your outstanding achievements. As you know, the August 4th, 2007 graduation ceremony was our very first, which gives this event a particularly special significance in my mind and will forever distinguish the Class of 2007 as a unique legacy. As someone with an international background, I truly appreciated meeting students from all over the world who have worked so hard and made difficult sacrifices to further their education. Read the rest of this entry »

Attending the on-line program at Ashworth University was the GREATEST thing ever for me. Ashworth made it possible for me to maintain my schedule as a working mom and my sanity while going through a divorce at the same time of earning my degree. At this point in my life it was important that I be the example in my son’s life. Read the rest of this entry »

The proudest moment of my life was when I walked off the stage in my cap and gown and my five year-old son said to me “you did good mommy, I am proud of you.” My husband and I stress the importance of education to both our kids; one day my daughter asked me why we (my husband and I) never attended college. I knew then that I would have to put aside my inhabitations and be that example to them. Read the rest of this entry »

Having attended both graduation ceremonies on Saturday I came away with several reflections:

• WOW, our graduates clean up pretty good.

• It was very hard to tell who were the proudest, the graduates or their family and friends.

• These graduates came a long way to celebrate their graduation, not just 2 or 3 hours away but most of them 2 or 3 states away.

• Many of them had only begun their educational journey and had already made plans to continue their education to the next level.

• I was touched by the number of different places and different jobs they had had and what they were working towards for their next job.

But most of all I was struck by the fact that I am blessed to work in a field and with a university that is in the business of helping people help themselves.

Milton Miller
Vice President of Education
Ashworth University

My name is Vahide Spahiu and I am from Kosovo. I’ve been employed by a US company since 1999 and have been serving in Baghdad supporting DoS, DoD, and US troops since 2003. I want to take a moment to tell you that I am honored to be one of Ashworth University’s graduates and whole-heartedly thank you for this educational experience.

Firstly, for giving me the opportunity to expand my education through the Ashworth University program. The learning method you provided me has been very convenient, especially for students like me working 12-13 hours a day and 7 days a week. I’ve spent these days analyzing my company’s budgets as a cost analyst and overcoming the stress created by multiple incomings (mortars, rockets, etc.)—while living in a place that allows limited movement, surrounded by T-Walls. Despite these obstacles, the method you provided me to study at my own pace, sometimes in my trailer and other times in my bunker, proved itself to be convenient and motivational. Read the rest of this entry »

I was happy to meet so many of the graduates and their friends and families. One of those family members had been a distance learning student of mine more than a dozen years ago, but we met face-to-face for the first time on the morning of the graduation ceremony. 

                 
        
The graduates clearly appreciated the opportunity to meet their fellow graduates and share a sense of community in their accomplishment.  I received many thanks that morning, but I tried to let everyone know that it was those of us from Ashworth University who were appreciative of our students. 

Karl Freedman
Director of Curriculum
Ashworth University

I was so excited when I received the email that we were having a graduation.  For me, it represented the culmination of all my long, hard hours of studying and praying that my dream would come true!  I was proud to walk down that aisle and to have completed a life long dream, which was to earn an AA in Early Childhood Education. I also met so many great people from everywhere.   I really enjoyed meeting my fellow graduates and continue to keep in touch with many of them. 

Gwendolyn Davis
Ashworth University Class of 2007

I felt honored when approached to be the photographer for our first graduation ceremony. I had experience working in events like this before; however, none were as unprecedented as the Ashworth University on August 4. On that day, and much like any other special event that I have been a part of, things were shaky at first. I was surprised at the level of turnout that attended the event. Mostly everyone that purchased tickets were in attendance for the ceremony. Read the rest of this entry »

My Graduation Day in Atlanta, Georgia was one of the happiest days of my life.  After all that hard work, I had a chance to actually wear the cap and gown, walk on stage, and be presented with something so valuable and dear, my diploma.  To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to graduate this year or even go to college.  But with my faith in God, family’s support, and the help of Ashworth University’s representatives, I was able to pull it off and head on down to Atlanta.  I was so very proud of myself because I felt like I had made the right choice by saving a year for myself.  I was only 17 when I graduated and it felt great!  I felt special and grown-up.  I got the chance to represent myself and be proud of what I accomplished.  Thank you God, thank you family, and thank you Ashworth University for letting me grow up and come out of my cocoon.  I am now a beautiful butterfly…

Linda Humaidan
Ashworth University Class of 2007

From where I stood AshworthUniversity’s first graduation ceremony seemed somehow “bigger.”  The 45 high school graduates had traveled to Norcross, Georgia from homes around the country–California, Maryland and Louisiana–and they and their families were  expectant and a little nervous.  As I stepped to the podium to give the commencement speech, my concern about whether I would get any laughs changed to awe as I looked over faces of all ages and color set behind black mortarboard caps and bobbing maroon and white tassles.  This was important to them–it was lifechanging, and it was not being taken lightly.

Edith Williams was among those graduates–I had sought her out as we lined up for the procession.  She had written a letter to the Vice President of Education expressing her appreciation, her plans and her dreams upon graduation.  It came to represent for me everything our school and this ceremony stood for–you see Edith was there with her husband, son, and grandson.  And when I asked her to stand after reading aloud part of her letter, she was not the only one with tears in her eyes. 

[Edith Williams & Cor Vink]

Somehow, bigger–that’s my impression of Ashworth University’s first high school graduation ceremony.  It was much bigger from where I stood.

Bill Tinkler
AUHS Principal
Ashworth University